Photos show Kim Jong Un with daughter Kim Ju Ae

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency released a 2024 image showing Kim Jong Un with his daughter Kim Ju Ae. State media also recently published photos of the two testing firearms at a munitions factory, a photo-op that has heightened speculation Ju Ae will be named his successor.

Ju Ae has only entered the public eye within the last five years. Maintaining the country's ruling family dynasty has long relied on secrecy and mythmaking. Kim Jong Un became leader in 2011, the third member of the Kim family to rule after his father and grandfather.

Jung H. Pak, author of 'Becoming Kim Jong Un,' said 'having this kind of dynastic succession in a so-called communist state is unheard of' and that the regime is focused on ensuring the bloodline holds power. Observers say North Korea is more open about the leader's family than it once was.

North Korea

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